A "stage two" electronic commerce system is typically used to conduct business-to-business transactions, and/or drive major business-to-consumer operations. Either way, consultation and planning is a major consideration.

By setting up your own computer systems to run both the database and (probably) the webserver aspects, you are engaging in a project that will have a signal effect on your business, and set important directions for the future.

We have to look into the complete business process and map out the goals, objectives, constraints and resources. There are strategic as well as tactical requirements to be considered, and a clear systems statement should be signed off by management before any further action is taken.